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Committee hears support for changing building code for three‑ and four‑unit dwellings
Summary
Representative Speakman and industry supporters urged adopting the International Residential Code for 3‑ and 4‑unit dwellings and lowering some procedural quorum requirements for the Building Code Standards Committee in HB 5373.
The House Committee heard Representative Speakman’s House Bill 5373 on March 20, which would (1) change the quorum for the Building Code Standards Committee and (2) apply the International Residential Code (IRC) to dwellings of three and four units — a move supporters said would reduce construction costs and encourage more small‑scale multifamily construction.
Representative Speakman said the bill makes procedural updates and ‘‘1 significant substantive thing’’: applying the residential code to 3‑ and 4‑unit dwellings so those buildings can be built to residential standards rather than the more expensive commercial code. He told the committee that change allows use of wood‑frame construction for those buildings and would reduce the need for fire‑suppression sprinklers in some cases, saving construction costs.
Supporters from the Rhode Island Builders Association (Bill Walsh) testified in strong support, telling the committee the change would lower construction costs and broaden the pool of contractors able to build small multifamily housing. Walsh also praised a proposed supplemental permit‑fee surcharge that funds workforce training for the construction trades.
Neighbors Welcome Rhode Island (Claudia Wack) also testified in support, saying public polling shows broad voter support for applying residential code standards to 3‑ and 4‑unit homes and stressing the role the change could play in increasing affordable housing supply.
Committee action and context The committee took testimony and closed the hearing on HB 5373; no committee vote on passage was recorded during the March 20 session. Representatives and stakeholders framed the bill as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce costs and speed housing production while coordinating with the state fire marshal and other agencies.
Ending The measure drew cross‑sector support on the hearing record; the committee will consider technical feedback and agency input as it prepares the bill for potential floor consideration.
